“A person in divine consciousness, although engaged in seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, eating, moving about, sleeping, and breathing, always knows within himself that he actually does nothing at all. Because while speaking, evacuating, receiving, opening or closing his eyes, he always knows that only the material senses are engaged with their objects and that he is aloof from them.” (Bg.5.8-9)

“The humble sage, by virtue of true knowledge, sees with equal vision a learned and gentle brahmana, a cow, an elephant, a dog and a dog-eater [outcaste].” (Bg.5.18)

Here is a description of one who has attained divine consciousness. Such a person knows he or she is a spirit soul within the body. In divine consciousness you do not just know it but you can see it. You can see how your body performs so many actions, but you, as a spiritual being, are still different from those activities.

Without divine consciousness, people often forget that they are spiritual beings and think their real identity is the body. With that state of mind, they become quite enthused and motivated to give pleasure and all kinds of care to the body. That becomes their primary goal in life. But that also brings fear when they get older and closer to death. What will they do then? What will they do when they lose their possessions and that which gives their mind and senses the most pleasure? What will be their reasons for living then?

Yet those in divine consciousness can see that the body is merely a vehicle in which we are riding. And not only are we spiritual beings covered in material forms, but so are all the other living entities in this material world. Thus, such a person can see that a sophisticated human being, or a cow, an elephant, or cats and dogs, birds, insects, plants, etc., are also different forms which exhibit life, consciousness, which is the symptom of the soul within. Therefore, a person in divine consciousness displays respect for and is friendly toward all living beings. He can see that they are all parts and parcels of God. This is how the devotee, who is equal to a topmost yogi, sees the Lord everywhere and is thus never lost to God. As Lord Krishna explains elsewhere:

“A true yogi observes Me in all beings, and also sees every being in Me. Indeed, the self-realized man sees Me everywhere. For one who sees Me everywhere and sees everything in Me, I am never lost, nor is he ever lost to Me. The yogi who knows that I and the Supersoul within all creatures are one worships Me and remains always in Me in all circumstances.” (Bg.6.29-31)